Disturbing and annoying, flies invite themselves into your homes against your will. Getting rid of it then becomes an arduous task. Their invasion is all the more increased during periods of heat, especially in summer. If you have tried products such as sprays, diffusers or repellents of all kinds, know that there are great tips that are also effective but gentle and natural without chemicals harmful to your health.
Attracted to places where bacteria abound, flies carry millions of germs on their small bodies. It is enough for them to land on your food or your work surface to contaminate them. This is why it is essential to keep them away from your interior, using the tips that we reveal to you below.
10 grandmother’s tips for keeping flies out of your home
– Essential oils
Known for their insect repellent action, certain essential oils can act as a repellent agent against flies. This is particularly the case for peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus or geranium. To do this, simply pour a few drops of these oils into your diffuser. If you don’t have one, you can pour some essential oil into a bowl and place it near the windows. You can also mix a few drops of essential oil with hot water and spray your interior. And you are free of these disturbing insects.
– Basil
As much as the smell of basil may be pleasant for us, it will be unpleasant for flies and insects. Place potted basil around the edges of windows and doors and let the plant do the work for you. It will act as an effective insect repellent.
– Lemon geranium
With its prominent odor, lemon geranium repels flies, especially when placed on window sills. In addition to its aesthetic side for decorating your balconies, it will act as a repellent against insects of all kinds.
– Pennyroyal
Like geranium, pennyroyal will repel flies but also fleas, mosquitoes and ants. This plant is toxic to humans and should not be consumed but will forever rid you of the intrusive presence of flies.
– Baking soda
Easy to prepare and odorless, baking soda seems to be the quickest way to get rid of flies. To do this, simply mix a tablespoon of this ingredient in 3 cups of hot water, and spray the liquid on windows and doors. Immediate action against flies which will no longer roam around your house.
– Cloves
Terrible against insects, cloves were often recommended by our grandmothers to get rid of insects. To do this, simply cut an onion, a lemon and an orange in half, and stick cloves in each half, on the flesh side. Put them on window sills and in other places that you consider strategic. Repeat the same operation every day for greater efficiency.
– White vinegar
Who doesn’t know the virtues of white vinegar and its different domestic uses. Here again it beats all records for repelling flies, unlike cider vinegar which attracts them. By spraying it with eucalyptus oil on window sills or placing it inside the house in dishes, its action will be effective and radical thanks to its strong smell.
– Garlic
As renowned for its strong odor as white vinegar, garlic is also an outstanding repellent. To do this, prepare a decoction by roughly chopping 5 cloves of garlic and boiling them in 2.5 liters of water. Once the liquid has cooled, strain it and spray it on windowsills and doors.
Other formidable tips
It is important to note that a clean house is the best way to protect yourself from flies, knowing that they are attracted to all decomposing organic matter and foods containing sugar. De facto, cleanliness must be impeccable and food must be protected.
Another trick known to our grandmothers is to hang a transparent plastic bag filled with water on the edge of the window high up. This method, as unusual as it may be, seems to work. And for good reason, the flies perceive the bag as a spider’s web because of the structure of their eyes and therefore obviously avoid it. Then the reflections of light that emerge from the bag can create an optical illusion for the flies which automatically move away.